Summer is nearly upon us, and soon the spring weather will give way to the nearly unbearable heat that is famously Australian. The heat affects us all, but not as much as it affects our pets, who can’t simply change into cooler clothes.
Our birds have it particularly bad, as they’re restricted to their cages. Because of this, it is up to you, their owner, to ensure they have everything they need available to make sure they don’t overheat.
- Keep the cage under permanent shade
Find a spot where the sun wont reach, and make it your birds’ home. Take care to make sure the sunless patch extends beyond just the ground, and that the entire vertical space that will be inhabited by your bird will be filled with shade all day.
Keeping your pet in a cage indoors is OK if you plan to leave a fan or the air conditioning going all day in your absence. Otherwise, indoor locations can get stuffy and warmer than outdoors, and your bird is not able to lie down on cool tiles like your dog or cat. - The wet blanket method
The wet blanket technique can be used in conjunction with the shaded technique to ensure your bird will stay comfortable throughout the day.
Get a towel or two, soak them in water, and then wring them out so they’re no longer dripping wet. Then, drape the towels over the top of your bird’s cage. This will provide a deeper level of shade, as well as a satisfying coolness and rainforest style conditions for your bird. - Provide a birdbath
This isn’t a particularly ground breaking suggestion, sure, but consider adding some ice cubes to ensure that the water remains cooler for longer. Also make sure your bird has plenty of drinking water, of course. - Make use of a spray bottle
If you’re home with your bird during the hottest days this is a must. Fill a household spray bottle with some cold water and give your bird a shower of cooling mist. If your bird starts spreading their wings it means they love it, making sure that the cool spray hits them where they need it most.
- Remove or minimise all other stresses
The heat will already have your bird’s heart rate higher than normal, so make sure that any other pets who might cause your bird a bit of stress are properly out of the way or trained to leave the cage alone. This won’t keep your bird cool, but it will help to ensure they aren’t exhausted any more than they need to be. - Keep your bird’s cage low
If you have a hanging cage, consider switching to a free standing one, or if it’s safe to do so and there a no cats in the neighbourhood, a ground cage. Heat rises and can get trapped under exactly the kind of structures most people hang their cages from. A low cage, in a shady area, will keep your bird cooler for longer.
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